Recently, Park Bo-gum made headlines as the first actor to host KBS2’s late-night music program “The Seasons“. The show has always been led by singers, making his casting a bold and unexpected choice. As much as the announcement generated buzz, concerns about an actor taking on the MC role also arose.
Since “The Seasons” is a music talk show, singers have traditionally served as hosts. KBS acknowledged that Park Bo-gum’s casting was a “risk” but stated, “Park Bo-gum has a deep understanding of music, enough to communicate effectively with musicians. We believed it was a challenge worth taking.”
The first episode of “The Seasons – Park Bo-gum’s Cantabile“, which aired on March 14, recorded a nationwide household rating of 1.5% (Nielsen Korea), similar to previous “The Seasons” broadcasts. It was a steady start for Park Bo-gum.
Despite the modest TV rating, the show proved its impact online. YouTube clips from the first episode quickly surpassed 100,000 views, and the program debuted at No.7 in the first-week TV buzz rankings. Park Bo-gum himself ranked No.6 in the non-drama cast category, showing his strong influence. While some noted his nervousness and inexperience as a host, others praised the sincerity of his passion for music.
Park Bo-gum is currently experiencing a surge in popularity due to Netflix’s series “When Life Gives You Tangerines“. Industry insiders believe this momentum positively impacted “The Seasons – Park Bo-gum’s Cantabile” as well. According to the K-content online competitiveness analysis firm Good Data Corporation, Park Bo-gum ranked high in various TV-OTT buzz drama rankings for the second week of March.
His influence extended beyond “The Seasons – Park Bo-gum’s Cantabile“. When he and IU, his “When Life Gives You Tangerines” co-star, appeared on KBS1’s “Music Stage“, the program skyrocketed to No.5 in the variety show buzz rankings. Since buzz rankings began in 2015, “Music Stage” had never made it into the top 20. This demonstrates just how significant Park Bo-gum’s presence is in the broadcasting industry.
Recognizing his popularity, KBS is leveraging Park Bo-gum to broaden its viewer demographics. KBS Entertainment Center’s director Han Kyung-chun stated, “Actors rarely appear in KBS entertainment shows. We have worked hard to cast guests that the younger generation, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, want to see.” Director Han also indicated that KBS would continue actively recruiting actors for entertainment programs.
As part of this strategy, KBS has scheduled reruns of Park Bo-gum’s iconic drama “Love in the Moonlight“. On March 18, KBS Drama Channel will air two consecutive episodes of “Love in the Moonlight“, following “The Seasons – Park Bo-gum’s Cantabile“.
Clearly, KBS is relying on Park Bo-gum’s star power to boost ratings and reverse its declining viewership. Though “The Seasons – Park Bo-gum’s Cantabile” has only aired its first episode, the weight of expectation already rests heavily on Park Bo-gum’s shoulders.